Doritaenopsis orchid plant named `Aposya`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Doritaenopsis orchid variety named `Aposya` particularly characterized by its magenta flowers. Its horticultural traits further include economical ropagation via tissue culture, very rapid growth, and plant dimensions suitable for package and shipping to market.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofDoritaenopsis, a bigeneric hybrid of Doritis×Phalaenopsis of the familyOrchidaceae, referred to by the cultivar name `Aposya`. The new cultivaris a hybrid selected from the progeny of a cross of parent plantsidentified below.

Doritaenopsis comprise a group of bigeneric hybrids generallyintermediate in character between the parent genera, which are suitablefor cultivation in the home or greenhouse. The parent genera ofDoritaenopsis are predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and arenative to tropical Asia, Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The speciestypically have 2-ranked fleshy oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to ashort central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled withsilver grey.

Doritaenopsis orchids, often referred to as `Moth Orchids` in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade, or sold as flowering potted plants for home orinteriorscape.

Doritaenopsis produce upright racemes, often with many showy flowerswhich open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowerspossess three sepals, and three petals, the lateral ones being alike.The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three lobed and is oftenmore brightly colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors arefrequently various shades of pink.

Doritaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. However,Doritaenopsis is capable of being asexually reproduced from off-shootswhich frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate. Asexual propagation of Doritaenopsis can alsobe performed by tissue culture, although this technique is not widelypracticed commercially because it is often relatively inefficient andcostly as currently applied.

The new cultivar named `Aposya` is a product of a breeding programcarried out by the inventor Renate Plate in Bremen, Germany. The newcultivar is a result of a cross of selected, but unnamed parentage madeby the inventor in Bremen, Germany in 1984. The new cultivar wasdiscovered from the progeny of the stated cross in Bremen, Germany bythe inventor in September 1986. Asexual propagation by tissue culturedone under the supervision of the inventor in Bremen, Germany was usedto increase the number of plants for evaluation and has demonstrated thestability of the combination of characteristics from generation togeneration.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Lake Worth, Fla. under greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish `Aposya` from generally availableseedling-derived Doritaenopsis common in commercial cultivation.

1. The flowers produced by `Aposya` are brilliant magenta with yellowmarkings in the center.

2. The inflorescence produced by `Aposya` is tall, straight and sturdywith closely spaced flowers. It is easily staked and packaged forshipping.

3. Plants of `Aposya` grow very quickly, producing marketable floweringplants in approximately 9-11 months.

4. `Aposya` blooms during the summer, unlike most Phalaenopsis hybridswhich bloom during the winter.

5. Plants of `Aposya` may be propagated economically and uniformly usingtissue culture.

It is difficult to compare the new cultivar with commercially availableseedling-derived Doritaenopsis which are heterogeneous genetically, andtypically lack uniformity in growth vigor, habit, and flower quality.Because of these inconsistent characteristics, a direct comparison for`Aposya` is not possible. `Aposya` is a single genotype asexuallypropagated via tissue culture, and its combined horticultural propertieslisted above are uniform and predictable.

All color references are measured against The Royal HorticulturalSociety color chart. Colors are approximate as color depends onhorticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate,among others, without, however any change in genotype.

In the color photographic drawings, the photograph on Sheet 1 comprisesa top perspective view of the inflorescence and foliage of a group ofplants of `Aposya` in 10.2 cm pots. The photograph was takenapproximately 16 months after planting 16 week old liners obtained bytissue culture and grown under appropriate growing conditions.

The photograph on Sheet 2 is a close up view of the flowers.

Colors are as accurate as possible with color illustration of this type.

Orgin: Seedling from a cross of selected, but unnamed parentage.

Classification: Doritaenopsis hybrid, cv, `Aposya`.

Propagation: Asexual propagation by tissue culture.

Inflorescence:

Flower description.--The sepals and petals are brilliant magenta. Thereverse side of the sepals and petals is somewhat lighter in color. Thesepals are elliptic-ovate in shape, the lateral petals are broadlyovate. The sepals and petals are flat or slightly cupped. The lowersepals and labellum are fused at their base. The labellum has threelobes and callosity at the central junction of the lateral lobes andbase of the midlobe. The lateral lobes of the labellu fold upward towardthe column, the midlobe extends forward. The lateral lobes of thelabellum are narrow and rectangular in shape. The midlobe is triangularto cruciform in shape with bluntly rounded apices. The labellum is adark magenta with a yellow center, the callosity is yellow.

Dimension.--Overall: Approximately 4.3 cm to 5.0 cm wide, and 4.1 cm to3.8 cm in height. Sepals: Approximately 2.2 cm to 2.4 cm long, and 1.4cm to 1.6 cm wide. Petals: Approximately 2.2 cm to 2.5 cm long, and 1.6cm to 1.8 cm wide. Labellum: Approximately 1.8 cm to 2.1 cm long, and1.3 cm wide (not flattened).

Flower color.--Sepals: Adaxial surface: 81 A-B. Abaxial surface: 82 B.Lateral Petals: Adaxial surface: 81 B. Abaxial surface: 82 B. Labellum:Adaxial surface: Lateral lobes: 13 A-B tipped with 60 A. Midlobe: 82 Abecoming 60 A on lateral apices. Callosity: 21 A. Abaxial surface:Lateral lobes: 13 A-B tipped with 60 A. Midlobe: 82 B tinged with 60 Aon lateral apices. Raceme: Dimension: The raceme is typically stakedupright. The raceme is approximately 70 cm from base to tip, and 0.40 cmin diameter at its midpoint. The raceme is 200 C, 147 A in color.

Flowering time.--For untreated plants as depicted in the photograph onSheet 1 and which are flowering for the second time, 8-20flowers/unopened buds are present. First flowers can be expectedapproximately 4-6 months after planting a 16 week old liner;approximately 8-10 flowers are present.

Reproductive organs: The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into asingle short column, possessing one terminal anther with pollen grainsunited into a pollinia, which are covered by an anther cap. The stigmais located under the column behind the pollinia. Ovary inferior, threecarples present.

Column.--The column is approximately 8 mm long, 5 mm wide, and is darkerthan but closest to 82 A in color.

Pollinia.--Two 1.0 mm rounded masses of pollen present, 24 A in color.Viscidium present.

Stigma.--Concave, round 4 mm-5 mm area under column, 147C-D in color.

Ovary.--11 mm long, 2.0 mm diameter, color 84 A. Pedicel approximately1.8 cm to 2.0 cm long, 2.0 mm diameter, and 147 B-C in color.

General appearance: Under appropriate growing conditions, plants of`Aposya` (excluding raceme) attain a mature size of approximately 14.0cm to 17.5 cm in height and approximately 35 cm in width.

Leaves.--Form: The leaf blade is long and elliptic with obtuse toslightly retuse apex and a cuneate base. The margins are entire. Themidrib is straight over the length of the leaf. The leaf blade is foldedupward from the midrib. The upper leaf surface is dull or slightlyglossy on newly emerged leaves. The leaves are leathery, and thick.Size: Leaf blades of a mature sized plant are approximately 18.4 cm to22.5 cm in length and approximatly 5.4 cm to 6.7 cm in width measured atthe widest point. Veins: Veins are sunken, within the thick leaf blade.Color: Adaxial surface: Darker and greener than, but closest to 137 A.Abaxial surface: Darker than, but closest to 147 B, with streaks andspeckles of anthiocyanous 187 A throughout.

Roots.--Very thick greenish white fleshy roots.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Doritaenopsis `Aposya` produces flowers which are brilliant magenta withyellow markings in the center. The inflorescence is tall, straight andsturdy with closely spaced flowers. It is easily packaged for shipping.The plant grows very quickly to marketable size. `Aposya` can beeconomically propagated via tissue culture.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Doritaenopsis Orchid plantnamed `Aposya`, as illustrated and described.